Daily Briefs . . .

 Michigan prisoner who won Supreme Court case denied parole 

ADRIAN, Mich. (AP) — A prisoner who won a major Michigan Supreme Court case about changing his sentence won't be released anytime soon.

The Corrections Department says no reason was given by parole board members who rejected Matthew Makowski's bid for parole. The decision was made Dec. 11. He'll be reviewed again in 2016.
 
In 2010, Gov. Jennifer Granholm changed Makowski's no-parole sentence, making him eligible for release, but she changed her position a few days later. The Supreme Court unanimously said Granholm's switch was illegal.

Makowski was convicted of first-degree murder for arranging a robbery that turned into a fatal stabbing in Dearborn in 1988. He wasn't present when Pete Puma was killed.
The 47-year-old has been described as an excellent prisoner. Makowski has been locked up for more than 25 years.
 

Mayfield appointed chair of NAWL  Legislative Committee

Bonnie Mayfield, Bloomfield Hills-based member of Dykema’s Litigation and Labor & Employment practices, has been appointed to be Chair of the Legislative Committee of the National Association of Women Lawyers (NAWL).
 
The NAWL is a leading national voluntary organization devoted to the interests of women lawyers and women’s rights.  Founded more than 115 years ago, NAWL has a long history of serving as an educational forum and an active voice for the concerns of women in the legal profession.

The NAWL Legislative Committee monitors federal legislation that has the potential to impact women’s rights and the ability of women to practice law. Any such significant legislation is reported to the NAWL members and its Executive Board.

Earlier this year, Mayfield was also named Vice Chair of Diversity Initiatives for the Diversity Committee of the International Association of Defense Counsel, co-authored a very well regarded article — “Tangible Results Speak Louder Than Well-Intentioned Inclusion Word” — with Thomas Sager, the former General Counsel of DuPont Co. The article was published by the Defense Research Institute and discusses research revealing that women and women of color still have uphill challenges in the field of law. While progress in this area has been incremental at best, the article points out that there is still reason for optimism and shares strategies to help include women and women of color through sustained and positive outcomes.

Mayfield is a well-known trial and appellate lawyer, has won an impressive series of victories for various clients. She represents clients in labor and employment, product liability, and commercial matters. Mayfield also is a member of Dykema’s National Trial Team, a group of experienced trial lawyers who have taken over 650 cases, in all areas of legal practice, to verdict.

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